Our prime function is the education of young people between the ages of 11 and 18 but we hope there is more to it than that. We use the community as a resource – it funds much of what we do, our students visit, survey, interview and draw in the community, and local employers provide the work placements that we value so highly.
In return we hope that our facilities can be shared. Local Primary and Special Schools work closely with our sports department. We work closely with the multi-agency team from Derbyshire County Council. Some of the Adult and Community Education courses in Wirksworth are based in the school, our rooms, halls and sports facilities are available for community use when we are not using them. Given the financial constraints within which we operate not everything can be free, but neither need it be very expensive. Please contact us or the Leisure Centre Reception staff if you think we might be able to help.
Our philosophy is simple – that the school should not be viewed as separate in any way from the community it serves. If you subscribe to that view, then we can work together.
Please see below for community information that may be of interest :
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
September 2024 saw the introduction of the Duke of Edinburgh Award back to Anthony Gell School after a brief hiatus. We currently have 30 year 9 students on the scheme and looking to enhance this further over the coming years to allow more students to be involved with the course. The award covers 4 key areas; skill, volunteering, physical and the one most people know about – the main expedition.
The aim of the award is to push people out of their comfort zones and to try something new, or push the limits on something they already do – be it swimming, cycling, climbing or canoeing for their physical or magic tricks, knitting or woodwork for their skill and teaching, lawn mowing or helping out at Scouts for their volunteering – the possibilities are endless. Who also wouldn’t want to spend a couple of days out in the Peak District with 4 or 5 of their mates walking, camping, navigating and cooking! Current year 7s and 8s, you will be next, so watch this space!
Carsington Sailing
Carsington Water, a large reservoir just a few miles down the road from school, is a great area for walking, bird watching and watersports. As a school we have been fortunate enough to be working closely with Carsington Sailing Club in order to offer our students an opportunity to get out and about on the water and gain a taster of what sailing life is really like.
As of late, we have managed to get lots of students out on the water, including putting some students through their Royal Yachting Association staged awards.
Cromford Canoeing
Educating students in the outdoor environment is great for Anthony Gell School due to the fact we have so many great places right on our doorstep. One such place is Cromford Canal; a 14.5 mile long stretch of water spanning from Cromford all the way out to Langley Mill. This is a great place to go canoeing and taking out some of our students from all year groups in the school. Working in association with Adventure Unlocked we are able to provide students with activities they may have not seen before, such as canoeing, bushcraft and archery.
Wirksworth Music Centre
Wirksworth Music Centre is a social and educational organisation for children from reception to year 13. It is staffed by professionally qualified musicians and teachers. It is supported and monitored by Derby and Derbyshire Music Partnership.
Wirksworth Music Centre has been supporting and teaching young musicians for almost 20 years. The staff and students meet for group music-making on Saturday mornings at Anthony Gell School.
For more information please see the Wirksworth Music Centre website.
